HIGHLAND — After emerging from a 30-plus minute long executive session, two resolutions were passed by the Highland Town Board at a special board meeting on Wednesday, February 26. The resolutions, both passed with four votes yes, took action against the Town Clerk via a censure and authorizing a seizure of a work computer by New York State Police.

The first resolution, read aloud by Highland Town Supervisor John Pizzolato, declared that Susan Hoffman, Town Clerk, was censured for “gross negligence, dereliction of duty and failure to fulfill essential responsibilities” – which additionally highlights a number of unfulfilled FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) requests dating back to 2021. 

The board also encouraged the town clerk to work remotely to “allow for an independent review and to ensure the uninterrupted execution of town business.” 

The responsibilities of the position have since been reassigned to “the Town Supervisor’s Office or another designated official.” Additionally, the Deputy Clerk was given authority and responsibility over maintaining meeting minutes dating from present all the way back to 2021.

The second resolution, also passed with four votes yes, authorized the immediate seizure and secure storage of the clerk’s town-owned computer by New York State Police, as well as requested a forensic examination of the device to determine whether official records have been “altered, forged, deleted, or otherwise mishandled.”

Hoffman told the Democrat that she has no comment at this time.